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Existing governance mechanisms
International Instruments
International Instruments
The Wales Protocol for Future Generations
We, the people, have the right and the responsibility to become good ancestors for the generations to come.
It is in civil society where often issues are raised and surfaced, and where many of the initiatives originate and are driven. It is often locally that visions of the future arise. Our responsibility as a global community of leaders is to protect the diversity and uniqueness of cultures, languages, beliefs and practices that we, the citizens, have inherited from past generations and to deliver them to those who come after us. As a species of storytellers, we can unlock our ability to share stories of our preferred futures, using these as a way to build solidarity across generations, and nurture communities that can work together to not just imagine better futures, but also act to transform the future in a way that is respectful to different generations.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
UNESCO Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations towards Future Generations
Article 1
The present generations have the responsibility of ensuring that the needs and interests of present and future generations are fully safeguarded.
UNGA ResolutionA/RES/58/172 on the Right to Development
Article 11
Affirms that, while globalization offers both opportunities and challenges, the process of globalization remains deficient in achieving the objectives of integrating all countries into a globalized world, and stresses the need for policies and measures at the national and global levels to respond to the challenges and opportunities of globalization if this process is to be made fully inclusive and equitable;
Article 12
Recognizes that, despite continuous efforts on the part of the international community, the gap between developed and developing countries remains unacceptably wide, that developing countries continue to face difficulties in participating in the globalization process and that many risk being marginalized and effectively excluded from its benefits;
Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations
Article 1 - Definition
For the purposes of these Principles, future generations are those generations that do not yet exist but will exist and who will inherit the Earth. Future generations include persons, groups and peoples.
Article 2 - Legal Basis for the Human Rights of Future Generations
2.1. Future generations are legally entitled to human rights on the basis of amongst others:
a) International law in its various forms which recognizes human rights for all people, without limiting these rights to present generations;
b) International law in its various forms that explicitly or implicitly recognize obligations and responsibilities towards future generations, and seek to ensure intergenerational equity; and
c) General principles of law, as reflected in laws, norms, customs and values of States and peoples from all global regions and belief systems that recognize obligations and responsibilities towards future generations, or that are and will continue to be relevant to the protection of the human rights of all, without limiting them to present generations.
Africa Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Article 20
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All peoples shall have the right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self- determination. They shall freely determine their political status and shall pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen.
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Colonized or oppressed peoples shall have the right to free themselves from the bonds of domination by resorting to any means recognized by the international community.
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All peoples shall have the right to the assistance of the States parties to the present Charter in their liberation struggle against foreign domination, be it political, economic or cultural.
Article 22
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All peoples shall have the right to their economic, social and cultural development with due regard to their freedom and identity and in the equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind.
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States shall have the duty, individually or collectively, to ensure the exercise of the right to development.
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
Principle 1
Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development.
They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.